The Bills have put together a four-game winning streak. Buffalo’s league-leading rushing attack is a major factor in the team’s recent success. Top of the league performance is also happening on the defensive side of the ball. Here’s where the Bills defense is turning in some league best work.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides all the details. Here is his report:
1 – Red zone defense
The Bills sit atop the league when it comes to keeping opponents out of the end zone when they reach Buffalo’s 20-yard line. They’ve allowed just six touchdowns on 18 red zone possessions allowed (33%). On Sunday San Francisco’s offense went 0-for-2 in the red zone against Buffalo as they settled for a pair of field goals. The 49ers are not alone. Baltimore and New England also went O-fer in the red zone against Buffalo.
2 – Passing touchdowns allowed
The pass defense for the Bills may rank near the middle of the pack at 14th in the NFL, but when it comes to passing touchdowns allowed no other NFL club has allowed fewer. Through six games Buffalo has surrendered just three passing touchdowns. It’s the lowest figure in the league. Denver, Houston, Minnesota and Seattle rank tied for second with four.
3 – Turning them over
Buffalo is currently tied for the league lead in takeaways with a total of 12 in the first six games. Only three other NFL clubs had 12 takeaways so far this season. The Bills stand second in the league in turnover margin at plus-8 through the first six weeks of the season.
4 – Sacks are back
When it comes to quarterback takedowns Buffalo ranks second in the NFL. The Bills have 20 quarterback takedowns in their first six games and has the league leader in sacks on their roster in veteran LB Lorenzo Alexander, who has eight of those sacks. Buffalo also ranks third in the league in sack percentage. One more sack this season and Buffalo would equal their sack total from last season.
5 – Three and out
One of the defense’s biggest areas of improvement is third down. Buffalo is holding opposing offense to a third down conversion rate of just 33.8 percent, good for fifth in the league. The Bills also stand fifth in the NFL when it comes to sending opposing offenses three and out on a possession. They’re doing it more than 26 percent of the time (26.5%) more than five percent above the league average.